Collapsible bucket



June 10, 1958 A. E. NORLING COLLAPSIBLE BUCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1955 INVENTOR. ALBERT E. NORLING WW ATTORNEYS June 10, 1958 Filed July 8,

A. E. NORLING 2,837,860

COLLAPSIBLE BUCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ALBERT E. NORLING MM wM ATTORNEYS United 2,837,861) COLLAPSIBLE BUCKET Albert E. Norling, Oberlin, Ghio, assignor to Oberlin Canteen C0., Oberlin, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio This invention relates as indicated to a novel collapsible bucket, and more particularly to a bucket which in a preferred embodiment may be adapted to the preservation and transportation of live minnows for bait.

Collapsib1e canvas buckets are well known in the art, and certain types have been employed rather widely by campers and members of the armed forces. In general, such buckets are clumsy, the fabric does not stretch tightly, and they are with difficulty kept in an upright position. Moreover, as with most buckets, they tend to slosh their contents unless carefully carried. When used to preserve live bait such as minnows, it is important that the water be reasonably aerated and kept cool. Pumps are sometimes provided for the purpose of repeatedly introducing air and heavy insulated containers have been utilizedin an effort to keep the contents cool. Such containers and associated mechanisms are relatively expensive as well as bulky.

It is accordingly a principal object of my invention to provide a novel collapsible bucket which will be sturdy and rigid when expanded.

Another object is to provide such bucket including a special cover permitting transportation over rugged terrain without sloshing.

A further object is to provide such bucket which will be self-ventilating, self-aerating, and self-cooling.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my new bucket in expanded condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same bucket in collapsed condition;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bucket closure disc or inner cover;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of the upper portion of such bucket on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section illustrating the disposition of the brace members when the bucket is collapsed;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of my new bucket with a portion of the outer fabric broken away better to disclose the internal arrangement of the brace members;

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 7--7 on Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the internal brace members in operative position.

Referring now more particularly to said drawing, the embodiment of my invention there illustrated comprises a tight canvas bag 1 having a circular bottom 2 rein- Patented June 10, 1958 ice forced by a galvanized steel ring 2:; as illustrated in Fig. 7 preferably completely enclosed in a fold of the fabric. A webbing handle 3 is firmly stitched to the sides of the bag and a second galvanized steel ring 4 is enclosed within a fold at the neck of the bag to rigidify the latter by securely stitching the folded fabric lip 4a around the ring 4. When the rings 2a and 4 are moved toward each other, the wall of the canvasbag 1 will collapse therebetween in a series of more or less accordion pleats (Fig. 2). I i

A sheet metal cover 5 is deformed to provide an annular groove 6 fitting snugly within ring 4 and a plurality of tabs such as 7 are turned down over and clinched around such fabric-enclosed ring firmly to secure the cover in place. An opening 8 in. the cover occupies approximately one-third the surface area of the latter and is sulficiently large to permit ready entrance of the human hand therethrough. A circular closure disc or inner cover 2 fits snugly against the inner surface of cover 5 and extends radially outwardly beyond such opening 8 and nearly to annular depression 6. Rebent tabs such as 19 on cover 5 engage the under surface of disc 9 to assist in holding the outer edges of the disc snugly against the underside of cover 5. A knob 11 extends through cover 5 and is secured in square opening 12 in disc 9 whereby such disc may be turned to selected rotative positions. Disc 9 is provided with an opening 13 located and dimensioned to coincide with opening 8 in cover 5 when rotated to such position by means of knob 11. Another area of disc 9 (approximately one-third of its surface) is provided with a plurality of small apertures such as 14 so that when such area is indexed into juxtaposition with opening 8, the bucket will be closed against sloshing but nevertheless a certain amount of ventilation will be permitted. When knob 11 is turned to bring the imperforate portion of disc 9 into juxtaposition with opening 8, the bucket is entirely closed.

My new bucket is adapted to be rigidified by means of folding wire brace members including a U-shaped member having two vertically extending leg portions 15 and 16 joined by an arcuate bottom portion 17, such leg portions being preferably slightly inwardly bent toward the center of the bucket as at 18 and 19. The upper ends of leg portions 15 and 16 are pivotally secured in brackets 20 and 21 welded to the inner side of cover 5 radially outwardly of disc 9. A generally similar U-shaped member is positioned in the opposite side of the bucket comprising leg portions 22 and 23 interconnected by a horizontal bottom portion 24 preferably somewhat oflset toward the first-described U-shaped member and forming loops 25 and 26 at the respective ends of cross-portion 24. The upper ends of leg portions 22 and 23 are hingedly con" nected to bracket members 27 and 28 welded to the inner side of cover 5 in the same manner as brackets 20 and 21. A U-shaped bottom cross-brace is provided comprising two side portions 29 and 36 joined by a transverse portion 31 having indentations or recesses 32 and 33 formed therein in position to engage leg portions 15 and 16. The other ends of portions 29 and 30 are hingedly hooked into loops 25 and 26 respectively.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the bottom brace comprising portions 29, 30 and 31 may be swung about hinges 25 and 26 until lying closely against U- shaped member 22, 23, 24, and the assembly then swung upwardly parallel to cover 5 (Fig. 5). U-shaped member 15, 16, 17 may likewise be swung up parallel with such cover and the bucket completely collapsed as shown in Fig. 2. Portions 29 and 30 are preferably bowed somewhat outwardly as best illustrated in Fig. 8 so that when recessed portions 32 and 33 bear against leg portions 15 and 16 and force the latter outwardly, they may bow still more resiliently to engage such leg portions. Not only 3 do bends 18 and 19 project inwardly, but also the extreme bottom portions of legs 15 and 16 may be bent slightly outwardly as at the outward recess 16a in Fig. 5 to form recesses into which recesses 32 and 33 engage, thus resiliently latching bottom member 29, 30, 31 both against lateral displacement and upward swinging movement. This rigidifyin-g framework itself braces and supports the bucket, but it will be recalled that further reinforcement is provided in the form of the metal rings at both the top and bottom of the bucket. It is consequently possible to stretch the fabric to almost drum-like tightness and to provide a bucket which is readily transportable in expanded condition without fear of collapse even when rather roughly handled. The folding brace members being internally of the bucket, there is no danger-of them I catching on obstructions with possible inadvertent collapse resulting.

The canvas is, of course, somewhat wet from the water contained in the bucket and evaporation through the side walls of the bucket tends to cool the contents in Wellknown manner and further to cause constant circulation of water within the bucket as the cooled water adjacent the walls sinks downwardly. Such circulation, moreover, entraps small bubbles of air from the interstices of the fabric and thereby improves aeration of the water. It is desirable preliminarily to submerge the bag in water to wet the canvas inside and out prior to use. While it may tend to seep slightly when first erected, such seepage will soon cease as the fibers expand. I have found that a large number of minnows may be preserved in my new bucket under difficult conditions, as when standing in the hot sun for a considerable period. It is, however, desirable when possible to turn disc 9 so that apertures 14 are juxtaposed to cover opening 8 and then to submerge the bucket fairly deeply in the water. Inasmuch as such disc and the folding brace members are all secured to cover 5 and form a unit therewith, it is relatively easy to replace the canvas bucket portion simply by loosening the clinched tabs 7. 7

When intended for use for other purposes than as a minnow bucket, the container may be of rubberized fabric, plastic, or other sheet material suitable to form a collapsible bag-like element. A preferred construction has, however, been illustrated and described which is suitable for a wide variety of uses, is long-wearing, and in which the fabric portion may readily be replaced.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

=1 therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a collapsible canvas bucket having a circular bottom portion, a metal ring encircling said bottom portion and secured thereto to maintain said portion in flat stretched condition, an upper folded fabric lip of said bucket, a second metal ring secured within said upper folded lip, a sheet metal cover fitting within said upper lip and having peripherally arranged tabs crimped thereabout to secure said cover in place, said cover having an eccentric opening therein o-f sutficient size to permit insertion of the htunan hand therethrough, an inner disc beneath said cover having an opening therein of substantially the same dimensions as the aforesaid opening in said cover and adapted to coincide therewith when said disc is appropriately rotatively indexed, another portion of said disc having numerous relatively small openings therethrough likewise adapted to be indexed to coincide with such opening in said cover, and another portion of said disc being imperforate and likewise adapted to be indexed to coincide with such opening in said cover fully to close such latter opening, means on said cover engaging the outer peripheral portion of said disc to hold the latter closely against the underside of said cover, a central knob connected with said disc through said cover for manual rotation of said disc, and a bail for said bucket; the improvement comprising means adapted releasably to rigidify said bucket in fully expanded condition comprising a generally U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said cover to said bottom of said bucket adjacent the wall of the latter, hinge means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said member to the inner side of said cover radially outwardly of said disc whereby said mem ber may be swung up fiat against said disc, the closed end po n of id U-shaped member being adapted to bear agnst said bottom of said bucket and being of arcuately radially outwardly bowed conformation, the leg portions of said U-shaped member being inwardly bent adjacent their points of juncture with the respective ends of said bowed portion and slightly outwardly recessed just above said inwardly bent portions; a second U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said cover to said bottom of said bucket, hinge means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said second member to the inner side of said cover radially outwardly of said disc and diametrically opposite said first-named member, whereby said second member may also be swung up closely parallel to said disc, the closed end portion of said second U- shaped member being adapted to 'bear against the bottom of said bucket and forming flat loops where joined with the leg portions of said second U-shaped member; and a third U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend transversely of said bucket against said bottom between said first and second brace members and having its ends pivotally secured to said loops, whereby it may be swung up flat against said second brace member, the leg portions of said third member being resiliently outwardly bowed, and the cross portion of said third member having shallow recesses adapted to engage in said recesses in said side portions of said first member transversely thereof and thereby resiliently latch the brace structure together, each said brace member being shorter than the width of said cover.

2. In a collapsible fabric bucket having a flat bottom portion, a rigid frame member secured to and encircling the latter to maintain the same in stretched condition, a rigid frame member secured to and encircling the upper rim of the bucket, and a rigid sheet metal cover secured to such upper rim having an aperture therethrough large enough for insertion of the human hand; the improvement comprising means adapted releasably to rigidify said bucket in fully expanded condition comprising a generally U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said cover downwardly within said bucket to the bottom of the latter, means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said member to the inner side of said cover whereby said member may be swung up fiat against said cover, the closed end portion of said member being adapted to bear against the bottom of said bucket; a second generally similar U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said cover to the bottom of said bucket, means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said second member to said cover diametrically opposite said first-named member whereby said second member may also be swung up generally parallel to said cover, the closed end portion of said second member being adapted to bear against the bottom of said bucket; and a third U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend transversely of said bucket against said bottom between said first and second brace members having its ends pivotally secured to said closed end portion of said second member whereby it may be swung up flat against said second brace member, the closed end portion of said third member being formed to interengage with the leg portions of said first member, each said brace member being of no greater length than the width of said bucket.

3. The bucket of claim 2, wherein the side portions of said third brace member are resiliently bowed and of sufiicient length to require slight additional bowing when said third member is interengaged with said first member transversely of said bottom.

4. The bucket of claim 2, wherein said first member and said third member are recessed for resilient latching interengagement when said third member is swung down transversely against said bottom.

5. The bucket of claim 2, wherein said cover is detachably secured to the rim of said bucket, whereby said cover and brace members may .be removed therefrom as a unit.

6. The bucket of claim 2, wherein the bottom engaging portions of said first and second brace members are offset toward each other.

7. The bucket of claim 2, wherein the bottom engaging portion of said second brace member includes loops to which said third brace member is thus pivotally secured.

8. The bucket of claim 2, including a flat closure member for such aperture in said cover mounted on the latter for relative sliding movement.

9. In a collapsible fabric bucket having a flat bottom portion, and a rigid peripheral frame member secured to the upper rim of the bucket; means adapted releasably to rigidify said bucket in fully expanded condition comprising a generally U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said frame member downwardly within said bucket to the bottom of the latter, means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said wire member to the said frame member whereby said wire member may be swung up parallel to said frame member, the cross portion of said wire member being adapted to bear against the bottom of said bucket; a second generally similar U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said frame member to the bottom of said bucket, means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said second wire member to said rim opposite said first-named member, whereby said second member may also be swung up generally parallel to said first member, the cross portion of said second member being adapted to bear against the bottom of said bucket; and a third U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend transversely of said bucket against said bottom between said first and second brace members having its ends pivotally secured to said second member, whereby it may be swung up generally flat against said second brace member, each said brace member being of no greater length than the diameter of said bucket, said third member being sufficiently long to connect said first and second brace members.

10. The bucket of claim 9, wherein said first and third U-shaped members are slightly deformed to interengage in resilient-latching engagement when said third member is swung down parallel to the bottom of said bucket.

11. In a collapsible fabric bucket having a flat bottom portion and a rigid top, means adapted releasably to rigidify said bucket in fully expanded condition comprising a generally U shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said top downwardly within said bucket to the bottom of the latter, means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said wire member to the said top whereby said member may be swung up parallel to said top, the cross portion of said member being adapted to bear against the bottom of said bucket; a second generally similar U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend from said top to the bottom of said bucket, means pivotally connecting the respective ends of said second wire member to said top opposite said first-named member whereby said second member may also be swung up generally parallel to said first member, the cross portion of said second member being adapted to bear against the bottom of said bucket; and a third U-shaped wire brace member adapted to extend transversely of said bucket against said bottom between said first and second brace members having its ends pivotally secured to said second member whereby it may be swung up generally flat against said second brace member, and of sufficient length to contact said first member and hold it on the side of said bucket remote from said second member.

12. In a collapsible fabric container having a rigid peripheral upper frame and a fabric bag-like container depending and defining a container mouth bridging said frame therefrom, two brace members pivotally secured to said frame within said container at opposite sides from each other and adapted to be swung down from positions substantially parallel to the plane of said frame and container mouth to positions substantially normal thereto within such container, said brace members being adapted to extend to the bottom of said container to afford vertical rigidity, and a third brace member adapted to be interposed between said first two brace members and having engaging surfaces thereon positioned to contact said first two brace members to spread the latter apart against the walls of said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS 513,269 Knop Jan. 23, 1894 1,148,761 Day Aug. 3, 1915 1,187,632 Lane June 20, 1916 1,375,397 Lawrence Apr. 19, 1921 1,561,653 Linguist Nov. 17, 1925 2,006,722 Sargent July 2, 1935 2,016,520 Short Oct. 8, 1935 2,029,219 Bourland Jan. 28, 1936 2,554,710 Leccese May 29, 1951 

